Ugh

Well, I suppose one good part of going to Beijing again next week means that I miss a little of the sniping that passes for pre-election political discussion these days. Unfortunately, I get to hear most of it as I don't leave until Monday.

In this age that nearly everything that is said by a public figure is recorded and/or published, its not surprising that politicians get caught making stupid statements. What's really annoying is the legions of folks who seem to have stooped to the level that all they do is listen for the stupidity and/or potentially offensive comments in their opponents speeches, so they can howl. Forget actually discussing the... gasp... issues. Let's just talk about how awful everyone is and that a slip of the tongue obviously means that deep down inside they are really terrible people who hate something/someone that they shouldn't.

I wonder if these are the same people who complain about how pre-packaged all of our candidates are? Why would you actually speak off the cuff when you are ostricized for any statement that isn't completely benign? Having leaders who are able to speak in public is important, but there's a limit. I'd rather have a leader who also has convictions and a clue too, even if I don't agree with all of them.